Mary's POV
"I don't think it's right to call him, Mary. What if someone sees this and gets the wrong idea?" Lana asked, nervously twisting the hem of her hoodie.
I frowned. "Why would anyone get the wrong idea?"
"It's just... Maya is popular and..." she mumbled, avoiding my eyes.
I stared at her for a moment before something that had been bothering me finally slipped out.
"Can I ask you something? It's been on my mind since my first day here."
She nodded.
"I noticed that students are scared of you, but they respect Maya. If everyone is afraid of you, why would they go against you for Maya? I don't get it."
Lana let out a long sigh, her shoulders dropping.
"It's a long story."
"We have time."
"There was this English teacher last year. He told girls to send him nudes if they wanted to pass his class. Since English is compulsory, most of them were terrified."
My stomach twisted in disgust.
"I refused," she continued quietly. "Maya refused too. We reported him together, and eventually he got fired."
I blinked.
"But somehow everyone thinks Maya did it alone. She became the school's hero."
"And you?"
She shrugged as if it didn't matter.
"I beat up bullies whenever they mess with people. I get suspended a lot, so everyone is scared of me."
I couldn't help shaking my head.
"That's ridiculous."
"What is?"
"The fact that everyone praises Maya and completely ignores that you stood beside her. Didn't she tell them you both did it together?"
Lana gave a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Nope. I honestly don't care anymore."
I looked at her for a second before sighing.
"Sometimes I wonder if we're even biological sisters. We're nothing alike."
She laughed softly.
"Don't say that. Have you looked in a mirror? You and Maya look so much alike. If Maya wasn't older, I'd think you were twins."
I dramatically pointed a finger at her.
"Never think that again. And I can't believe I skipped Chemistry for this conversation."
She grinned.
"I wasn't the one who wanted to meet Lee. Direct your anger toward him, not me. Besides, this conversation was pretty awesome."
I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself.
"No one would believe that the same Lana who was crying thirty minutes ago is now talking this much."
Before she could reply, my phone buzzed.
Lee Calling...
I answered.
"Hey."
"Mary... I'm sorry. Something came up. We still need to discuss everything. Maybe at my place or Peter's? What do you think?" His voice sounded strangely anxious.
I smiled to myself.
"Relax, Lee. Breathe. Peter's place is fine."
There was a brief silence.
"Oh, and I'm bringing Lana with me."
"Yo-you are?" he stuttered.
I almost laughed.
A second later he cleared his throat.
"Sure. Do whatever you want. I'll send the address."
About thirty minutes later, Lana and I arrived at Peter's house.
Peter opened the door with a huge grin.
"Finally! I was beginning to think you got kidnapped."
"We considered it," I replied, walking past him.
Lana giggled quietly.
Lee was already sitting on the couch, absentmindedly tapping his fingers against his knee. The moment he noticed Lana, he stopped.
Peter's eyes moved from Lee to Lana and then to me.
"Oh... this is going to be interesting."
"Shut up," Lee muttered.
Peter raised both hands innocently.
"What? I didn't say anything."
The tension eased instantly, and even Lana let out a small laugh.
Peter disappeared into the kitchen and returned with snacks.
"If we're having serious discussions, nobody is allowed to be hungry."
I grabbed a bag of chips.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Lana smiled, looking much more relaxed than before, and for the first time that day, the room felt warm instead of heavy.
Maybe things weren't as broken as they seemed. :::